The living organisms of this Earth are amazing. In fact they are so amazing that scientists and researchers around the world having been replicating nature to create better, stronger, cleaner and more natural products for humans to use. Here are some awesome examples of scientists using nature to be more innovative in their creations.

Mussels are pretty popular, aren’t they? We can steam them in white wine and garlic or add them to our seafood paella. Chemists, interestingly enough, also love mussels and have been working for years with this seemingly simple, yet complex bivalve. A mussel is an animal typically found in high energy coastal areas, and because of these conditions, they have a particular adaptation that scientists find extremely interesting. To prevent itself from being swept away by waves and continue filter feeding in these rich habitats, the mussel will secrete byssus threadsand attach itself to a sturdy, non-moving object like a rock. Now these byssus threads are incredibly strong, flexible, self-healing, physically hard, and essentially work like glue underwater! The particular substances produced by the mussel, the ratios in which they are mixed, and the patterns of how they are secreted are what scientists are trying to replicate. According to researchers, synthesized versions of these threads can be used as surgical sutures, materials for underwater attachments, or as part of equipment used in extreme conditions. In other words these animals can be used as much more than a delicious appetizer.

Another amazing animal that researchers have been occupied with are horseshoe crabs. The copper-based blood of horseshoe crabs has been critically important to the biomedical industry for years now. We use a certain substance from their blood to test the sterility of our medicines. If bacteria are present in an antibiotic, then the substance will coagulate with the bacterial toxins when mixed with the medicine and the test subject will be proven non-sterile and unable to use. So the next time you see a horseshoe crab, make sure you thank it for helping keep our medicines and medical equipment safe and clean.

Even the military is taking a page out of Mother Nature’s handbook. The U.S. Navy spends tens of millions of dollars each year removing fouling organisms, such as barnacles, from the bottoms of their ships because they cause damage and increase drag. To help solve this problem the Navy has supported research to create anti-fouling coatings, and to do this, researchers have turned to sharks. Sharks have teeth-like scales covering their skin that not only help reduce drag but also prevent organisms from sticking and growing on them. Therefore researchers are attempting to mimic shark skin and the dynamics of the scales to help reduce bio-fouling.​

Mussels, horseshoe crabs, and sharks are not the only amazing living organisms out there that scientists are mimicking, which begs the questions, “What else can we learn? What other awesome things are scientists doing right now?” Learn more about different nature inspired technologies!

This Thursday, June 20th from 5:30-7:00, the NRT will be hosting its monthly Family Science Outing and this month the topic is interesting insects! More often than not it is really easy to be put off by bugs and unfortunately, most people tend to squash them rather than step around them. However, insects are super interesting and totally underappreciated.

Let’s start with what is an insect? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an insect is defined as an invertebrate animal with three body parts (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of legs, and usually a pair or two of wings. Something important to note is that not all insects are “bugs”. We tend to use the word “bug” loosely and it is true that all bugs are insects. However, a bug is a very specific type of insect. The key difference between true bugs and other insects is that bugs have specialized mouthparts for sucking fluids from plants and animals. This mouthpart is known as a proboscis, and unlike the proboscis of a butterfly which can retract and roll up like a party blower, the proboscis of a true bug is unretractable and cannot roll up. Another featured trait of true bugs is that when they hatch from their eggs, they are called nymphs and not larvae. As a nymph they are simply a smaller version of their adult selves. Examples of true bugs are leafhoppers, stink bugs, cicadas and bed bugs!

Ever wonder why insects are everywhere? It’s because they are the most successful creatures on the planet! Scientists have estimated that of all the animals found on Earth, a staggering 90% of them are insects and they are found on every continent! At all times there are 10 QUADRILLION ants living on the planet alone! How are they so successful though? Most of them are pretty small, which means their energy requirements are minimal and they can easily hide from predators. Their bodies are also covered by a hard outer layer called the exoskeleton, acting like body army for an insect. Insects usually have wings to escape danger and find food, and they also have the extraordinary ability to reproduce rapidly.

Another thing that makes insects so interesting is their ability to breathe through their sides. They have holes in the exoskeleton called spiracles, and these holes is where oxygen enters and carbon dioxide leaves. Their circulatory systems are different too seeing as they don’t really have one. They don’t even have blood! What insects do have is hemolymph which flows openly throughout the body, not throughout veins and arteries like in humans. Talk about different, what about those eyes?! The compound eye of an insect has many individual parts working like pixels putting together a picture. The eye of a dragonfly permits it to have an almost 360 degree view of the world around it!

These are just a few examples of what makes insects special, but the list goes on and on! To learn more about them, please come to Sheep Pasture this Thursday, July 20th at 5:30 and join a NRT naturalist to explore these awesome animals!

During the first week of nature camp here at Sheep Pasture, a camper reminded staff just how cool the octopus really is. He preceded to say that the octopus was one of his favorite animals, second only to the horseshoe crab, because of its ability to change colors and transform itself to look like something else entirely (by the way folks, this all came from a 5 year old!). He then said that his favorite octopus was the mimic octopus, which we admitted we didn’t know much about. Research ensued shortly thereafter!​So in honor of this particular camper, here is the coolest thing we learned about the mimic octopus!

Now most of us know that one fascinating trait all octopuses share is the ability to change the appearance of their skin to hide from predators. However, the mimic octopus, which was only discovered in 1998, possesses the unique ability to IMPERSONATE other animals as it traverses the sea bed. Some animals the mimic octopus has been documented impersonating are sole fish, lion fish, sea snakes, and scientists also speculate impersonations of anemones, stingrays, mantis shrimp, and jellyfish!

We also know that octopuses are highly intelligent animals, but the mimic octopus takes intelligence to a whole other level. Exhibit A: the damselfish is known as an aggressively territorial fish. The fascinating part of this story is that after being attacked by a territory defending damselfish, mimic octopuses have been recorded then impersonating banded sea snakes, which are known predators of damselfishes! Basically, mimic octopuses are observant enough to understand which animals are the most dangerous and therefore better to impersonate. In other words, the camper really knew what he was talking about and the mimic octopus is an awesome animal to learn about!!! Thank you camper!

​Check out the mimic octopus in action by watching this video!Want to see just how smart octopuses are? Watch this one escape from a closed jar!

We all want to get outside during the summer to enjoy the great weather and beautiful nature. However, how many of us are inhibited by our fear of summer insects, particularly those disease-carrying ones like ticks and mosquitoes. You can’t hide inside all summer though and you shouldn't have to hide. There are ways to protect yourself while enjoying the great outdoors!

First off, find a repellent that not only works in general but works for you. For those of us who prefer the all natural route, experts recommend rose geranium oil as the top essential oil for repelling ticks. Unlike other oils, this one can be applied directly to your skin in those areas where ticks love to hide. If you are looking for something stronger, that is where the chemicals come into play. Recent consumer reports show which products tend to be the most successful. Make sure to do your own research and follow the recommendations written by the manufacturers upon use.

Let’s face it though, no amount of bug spray is going to keep those ticks off 100%, so we must employ other strategies to protect ourselves. If you are going for a walk in the woods, it would be a great idea to wear light colored clothes. That way if you do pick up hitchhikers, they will be way easier to spot and then remove. Speaking of clothes, another great way to keep the pests off your skin is by wearing long sleeves, long pants and close-toed shoes. Yes, the weather is hot during the summer and most of us would rather be in shorts and T-shirts, but covering up on your woodland walks is just another way to stay safe. Also stay on the trails and especially towards the middle of the trails. It’s those edges you have to be cautious of when exploring the great outdoors.

No matter how many preventative measures we take, those little buggers tend to find their way onto our clothes and skin regardless. So periodically on hikes or picnics or even after some time playing in the backyard, do those tick checks! When you come in for the day, throw your clothes in the dryer and jump in the shower right away. Check the places they love to hide most like armpits, back of the knees and behind your ears. If you have pets, don't forget to check them too once they have come into the house after an outdoor jaunt.

The bottom line is do your research and take these easy steps to help keep you and your family safer for the summer! For more tips on how to avoid tick bites this summer, check out this informative article from LIVESCIENCE!

As part of the NRT's 50th Anniversary celebration, a series of home skills workshops are scheduled for anyone looking to learn more about any one of our upcoming topics, including:Battling invasive speciesBackyard beekeeping (2 classes available)Composting for beginnersFun family paint nights (2 classes available)Meet the NRT Farm AnimalsNRT campfire sing alongRegistration is required for some workshops, so visit the NRT online to read more about the classes scheduled, as well as for downloadable registration forms!Registration is now open for all classes in June-September.

Last minute spaces for our Beginners Gardening class on Tuesday, May 23rd are still available. Call the NRT office to register at 508-238-6049.

This past week during April Vacation, campers learned about the rock cycle! Most people know the three types of rocks, which are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, but they might not know how these rocks form and cycle through each type.

Let’s start with a basic question: what is a rock? All rocks are made up of minerals and are defined as naturally occurring, nonliving, firm, and coherent masses of solid matter. The different ways that rocks form, break down, and reform is known as the rock cycle. Rocks that form from cooling magma or lava are known as igneous rocks. The composition of the magma, how it travels to the earth’s surface, and how quickly it cools will determine the characteristics of igneous rocks, which includes grain size, crystal shape, mineral content, and color. Examples of different igneous rocks are pumice, basalt, granite, and obsidian.

Sedimentary rocks are different because these types form near the earth’s surface where sediments eroded from igneous rocks are compacted on land, in river beds and lakes, or marine environments. They are then cemented in layers known as strata and are easily identified in nature because they will break along their layers. Another feature that makes them different is the fact that the vast majority of fossils are found in sedimentary rocks. Examples of sedimentary rocks are shale, limestone, and sandstone.

A metamorphic rock forms when an igneous or sedimentary rock is subjected to extreme heat and pressure and undergoes a dramatic change. The orientation and alignment of the crystals and the size of the grains change to form new rock. Different types of metamorphic rocks form at different temperatures and pressure, but if temperatures become too high and the rock melts turning back to magma, then igneous rock will form. Examples of metamorphic rock are slate, schist, and gneiss.

Still have questions about the rock cycle? Check out this informative and amusing video explaining it all!

Want to learn about vernal pools, their importance, and what animals we can find in them? April 20th will be our vernal pool Family Science Outing!! Come to Sheep Pasture at 5:30 PM and join a NRT naturalist in this evening ponding exploration.

Now you might be asking yourself what are vernal pools and why are they so special? A vernal pool is a depression in the land that fills with water during the fall and winter, remaining filled throughout the spring. These typically small pools then act as critical breeding habitats for amphibians and invertebrates before drying out in the summer. Because the pool water supply is not dependent on a stream or river, vernal pools are generally devoid of fish which aids in the reproductive success of our amphibians and invertebrates. This is especially crucial for those animals that solely rely on these temporary pools. Some animals considered obligate vernal pool species and are completely dependent on these habitats include the blue spotted, Jefferson, and spotted salamanders and fairy shrimp. Other animals found in vernal pools but are not necessarily dependent on them include american toads, green frogs, spring peepers, and four-toed salamanders.

So come to Sheep Pasture on Thursday, April 20 at 5:30 PM and explore vernal pools with us! We will search for salamanders, frogs, toads, turtles, and invertebrates, while learning more about the species we find and appreciating the natural beauty that comes with a vernal pool!

For more information on upcoming Family Science Outings, please visit our page here.For more information on Massachusetts vernal pools and the life found in them, click here!

When studying animals and the interactions between them and their environment, you learn about some incredible and often remarkable relationships in nature. These symbiotic relationships are all about survival and sometimes prove to be shocking!

There are certain interactions in which both parties benefit, and those types are called mutualistic relationships. For example, one incredibly cool mutualistic relationship involves crabs and sea urchins! In the waters around Indonesia, there are crabs called urchin crabs that carry fire sea urchins on their backs as they traverse the ocean floor. Why do they do that you may ask? Because fire sea urchins are quite venomous and act as an effective shield against potential predators. What does the sea urchin get out of this relationship? A free ride of course! Watch these two animals work together in their mutualistic relationship.

Commensalism is a relationship where one party benefits and the other party neither benefits nor is harmed. A great example of this type of symbiosis is between the caterpillar stage of the Monarch Butterfly and milkweed. Great fields of milkweed act as important nurseries for the monarchs and is where the monarch picks up its best strategy for defense. Within the leaves of the milkweed lie toxic chemical components that the munching monarch caterpillars assimilate into their own bodies, acting as a chemical defense against predators! Learn more about this important relationship from National Park Rangers in Yosemite.

However, some of the most fascinating relationships are those classified as parasitic, a relationship where one organism will benefit while the other is harmed or even dies. The Lancet Liver fluke cycles through its life within the bodies of three different animals. As an adult, the fluke can be found in the liver of a cow or sheep, and after mating, the eggs of the fluke will be in the feces of the host. This is the part when a snail comes along and gobbles up the eggs without knowing, unwittingly becoming the second host to the fluke. After the eggs hatch inside of the snail, the baby flukes work their way to the surface and agitate the snail until it coughs up the parasites in slime balls. The next host is an ant, who then stops by to snack on the snail slime, thereby ingesting the fluke larvae. This is where things really get interesting. The fluke larvae attack the ant’s brain and essentially take over, controlling the ant to position itself at the tops of plants during dawn and dusk! Why do they do this? So that the likelihood of the ant being eaten by a grazing mammal increases dramatically and the fluke can complete its life cycle. Learn more about the Lancet Liver fluke!​

Ever wonder what that huge group of crows is called that is sitting creepily on your front lawn? How about if a ton of emus just walked across your backyard? Unlikely situation but it could happen, I guess.

We thought it would be fun to gather a list of some of our favorite collective nouns for groups of animals and share it with you all. That way the next time you get attacked by a bunch of woodpeckers, you can yell “AHHH THE DESCENT!”

So let’s start with our title shall we? Apparently crows have a few homicidal tendencies because a group of them is known as a murder. You might have already heard of a gaggle of geese, but what we recently discovered is that finches, goldfinches, and hummingbirds are all huge Harry Potter fans since their collective groups are known as a charm. Ants and caterpillars have gone and joined the army, while you have been busy electing salamanders to congress this past November. Those noisy neighborhood blue jays are having a party as the posse of turkeys are threatening people by their own mailboxes. Don’t even get me started on the intrusion of cockroaches we found last week in our garage! Oh and that group of emus that broke out from the farm and are currently walking across your backyard....they are called a mob. ​Some other random favorites include, but are not limited to:A smack of jellyfishA bloat of hipposA prickle of porcupinesA quiver of cobrasA coalition of cheetahsA tower of giraffes

Are you interested in keeping honeybees but don't know where to begin? The Bristol County Beekeepers Association will be presenting its next Bee School series beginning February 2, 2016. The class is expected to run for 9 weeks and will cover a variety of topics important for new beekeepers, from selecting bees to keeping your hive healthy. Classes are held at Bristol County Agricultural High School. For more information on Bristol County's Bee School or to contact them directly, visit them online at www.bristolbee.com.

For those of you interested in keeping bees in any area, we strongly suggest taking a Bee School class of some kind before setting up a hive and purchasing bees. The information and experience you will gain from any of the members of local beekeeping associations will be invaluable to you as you begin this new adventure. Classes are available through many local bee clubs. Search online for a beginner beekeeping class near you for more information in your area.